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ARLINGTON, Texas — Corey Seager hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and the Texas Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins in a series opener Friday night.
Seager’s 17th homer capped a six-run outburst in the fifth for the Rangers after they had only two base runners in the first four innings against Sonny Gray (4-2). Seager greeted reliever Caleb Thielbar by pulling a 396-foot drive into the right-field seats for a 6-3 lead.
Carlos Correa hit an early two-run homer for the Twins, and center fielder Byron Buxton made a highlight catch crashing into the wall in the fourth after left fielder Nick Gordon went in front of him with an unsuccessful leaping attempt on the warning track.
Buxton stretched his gloved left hand out to make the catch just before going into the side of the angled wall in left-center to take a hit away from Marcus Semien nearly 400 feet from the plate. Buxton stayed on his back for about 10 seconds before getting helped up by Gordon.
The Rangers opened their decisive fifth by loading the bases on two singles and a walk before Mitch Garver, who was traded to Texas in the spring after playing his first five big league seasons with the Twins, was hit by a pitch to drive in the first run. Leody Taveras hit a deep sacrifice fly for the first out and rookie Josh Smith’s RBI single tied the game.
Texas starter Jon Gray (5-4) struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings, departing after a two-run homer by No. 9 batter Ryan Jeffers that cut the gap to 6-5. Gray allowed nine hits and five runs, only three of those earned because of three errors.
Brett Martin worked the ninth for his first career save after manager Chris Woodward said earlier Friday that Joe Barlow was out of the closer’s role for now after blowing saves in consecutive games at Baltimore.
Sonny Gray allowed a season-high five runs while losing for the first time in his last 10 starts.
After Luis Arraez reached on an error to start the game, Correa snapped an 0-for-14 slide with his 10th homer. It was the former Houston Astros shortstop’s first game in Texas since going to the Twins in free agency.
SHORT HOPS
Minnesota had won seven consecutive road games against the Rangers, including its only previous three games at Globe Life Field last season. … Texas played its 81st game. Its 38 wins are six more than at the midpoint last season. The Rangers have an AL-high 17 one-run losses, including all three games while being swept at Baltimore this week. … Inside under the closed retractable roof, it was more than 30 degrees cooler than the outside temperature of 104 degrees when the game started.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli said RHP Joe Smith (upper trap tightness) is feeling better and doing OK physically. The reliever, who last pitched in a game June 23, was set to throw another bullpen and could rejoin the team during the weekend series.
Rangers: Right-handed reliever Matt Bush (right forearm tightness) is eligible to come off the injured list as early as Sunday after being out since June 25. Woodward believes it has been a good break for Bush, who the manager said feels good and normal.
UP NEXT
Rangers left-hander Martín Pérez (7-2, 2.34 ERA), who has won his last seven decisions, makes his final start before the All-Star pitchers are named Sunday. Minnesota lefty Devein Smeltzer (4-2, 3.04) has allowed only four earned runs over 18 innings his last three starts
Source: CBS
